Conveyance system

The present invention relates to a conveyance technique, and in particular, to a conveyance system.

In a process of manufacturing articles such as pharmaceuticals and foods, a chamber such as a freeze-drying chamber may be used (for example, PTLs 1 to 4). The articles are moved by a moving member and conveyed inside and outside the chamber. The chamber may be sterilized to prevent microorganisms such as bacteria from entering the articles. For example, in a freeze-drying chamber, the components in the chamber, a plate on which the articles are disposed, and a pipe for supplying a refrigerant are sterilized with high-pressure steam.

Patent Literature

PTL 1: International Publication No. 2005/121672

PTL 2: International Publication No. 2005/121671

PTL 3: International Publication No. 2013/136157

PTL 4: U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0185952

Technical Problem

The inventors have found that stabilizing also the moving member for moving articles inside and outside the chamber further suppresses contamination of microorganisms into the articles. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a conveyance system capable of sterilizing the moving member for moving articles inside and outside the chamber.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present invention, a conveyance system is provided which includes a chamber, a plate disposed in the chamber, the plate being used for disposing an article thereon, an in-chamber bridge disposed next to the plate in the chamber, a moving member that moves along the in-chamber bridge and the plate to move the article on the in-chamber bridge and the plate, and a sterilization device that sterilizes an interior of the chamber. The chamber is allowed to be tightly sealed, with the moving member disposed on the in-chamber bridge.

In the conveyance system, the sterilization device may pressurize or heat the interior of the chamber.

The conveyance system may further include an out-of-chamber bridge disposed outside a door of the chamber, the out-of-chamber bridge being contactable with the in-chamber bridge. The moving member may move along the out-of-chamber bridge, the in-chamber bridge, and the plate.

In the conveyance system, the in-chamber bridge may be movable between the out-of-chamber bridge and the plate, the out-of-chamber bridge may be movable toward the in-chamber bridge, or the out-of-chamber bridge may be rotatable.

The conveyance system may further include a first rod-like member disposed at the out-of-chamber bridge and including a magnetic body, a second rod-like member disposed at the in-chamber bridge and including a magnetic body, a third rod-like member disposed along the plate in the chamber and including a magnetic body, and a drive unit that rotates the first rod-like member.

In the conveyance system, when the out-of-chamber bridge, the in-chamber bridge, and the plate come into contact with each other, the first, second, and third rod-like members may be connected to each other.

In the conveyance system, the moving member may include a magnetic body and may be configured to face part of peripheries of the first to third rod-like members.

In the conveyance system, the moving member may move along the first, second, and third rod-like members as the first, second, and third rod-like members rotate.

In the conveyance system, the chamber may include a first chamber containing the plate and including a first door between the in-chamber bridge and the plate, and a second chamber containing the in-chamber bridge and including a second door between the out-of-chamber bridge and the in-chamber bridge, and the first and second doors may be allowed to being closed, with the moving member disposed on the in-chamber bridge.

The conveyance system may further include a contact member connected to the moving member and being in contact with the article.

In the conveyance system, the chamber may be a freeze-drying chamber, and the article may contain a pharmaceutical.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, a conveyance system capable of sterilizing a moving member for moving articles inside and outside a chamber can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a conveyance system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic enlarged top view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a rod-like member and a moving member according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic top view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of the rod-like member, the moving member, and so on of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of the conveyance system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a schematic top view of a conveyance system of a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a schematic top view of the conveyance system of the modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a schematic side view of a conveyance system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a schematic side view of a rod-like member and a moving member according to another embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a schematic side view of a rod-like member and a moving member according to a yet another embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view of a moving member according to a yet further embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a schematic sectional view of a moving member according to the yet further embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are represented by the same or similar signs. However, the drawings are schematic. Accordingly, specific dimensions and so on should be determined with reference to the following description. For the relationship between the drawings, it is needless to say that the dimensional relationship and ratios may differ.

First Embodiment

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a conveyance system according to a first embodiment includes a chamber 1 , a plate 7 A disposed in the chamber 1 and used in disposing articles 5 thereon, an in-chamber bridge 19 disposed next to the plate 7 A in the chamber 1 , an out-of-chamber bridge 9 that is disposed outside a door 11 of the chamber 1 and that is capable of contact with the in-chamber bridge 19 , moving members 3 A and 3 B that move along the out-of-chamber bridge 9 , the in-chamber bridge 19 , and the plate 7 A to move the articles 5 on the out-of-chamber bridge 9 , the in-chamber bridge 19 , and the plate 7 A, and a sterilization device 100 , illustrated in FIG. 2 , for sterilizing the interior of the chamber 1 . In the conveyance system according to the first embodiment, the chamber 1 can be tightly sealed, with the moving member 3 A disposed on the in-chamber bridge 19 .

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the chamber 1 is, for example, a temperature regulated chamber having a space in which the articles 5 are disposed and whose temperature is regulated. The temperature regulation chamber may be, for example, a freeze-drying chamber. An example of the articles 5 is a phial containing medicine. In the case where the chamber 1 is a freeze-drying chamber, the articles 5 are disposed on the plate 7 A in the chamber 1 , and the medicine or the like in the articles 5 is freeze-dried.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , plates 7 B, 7 C, and 7 D are disposed above the plate 7 A in the chamber 1 . The plate 7 D is hung from the ceiling of the chamber 1 with a cylinder covered with a bellows cover 10 . The plate 7 C is hung from the plate 7 D with a hook 17 C. The plate 7 B is hung from the plate 7 C with a hook 17 B. The plate 7 A is hung from the plate 7 B with a hook 17 A.

As illustrated in FIG. 3 , if the chamber 1 is not to be used, the cylinder covered with the bellows cover 10 may extend so that the plates 7 A, 7 B, 7 C, an 7 D are disposed in the lower part of the chamber 1 . When the articles 5 are disposed on the plate 7 C, the cylinder covered with the bellows cover 10 hangs the plates 7 A, 7 B, 7 C, and 7 D so that the surface of the plate 7 C and the surface of the in-chamber bridge 19 are flush with each other, as illustrated in FIG. 4 .

When the articles 5 are disposed on the plate 7 B, the cylinder covered with the bellows cover 10 hangs the plates 7 A, 7 B, 7 C, and 7 D so that the surface of the plate 7 B and the surface of the in-chamber bridge 19 are flush with each other, as illustrated in FIG. 5 . When the articles 5 are disposed on the plate 7 A, the cylinder covered with the bellows cover 10 hangs the plates 7 A, 7 B, 7 C, and 7 D so that the surface of the plate 7 A and the surface of the in-chamber bridge 19 are flush with each other, as illustrated in FIG. 6 .

The sterilization device 100 sterilizes the interior of the chamber 1 by pressurizing or heating the interior of the chamber 1 . A method by which the sterilization device 100 sterilizes the interior of the chamber 1 is not particularly limited. The interior of the chamber 1 may be sterilized using, for example, a high-pressure steam sterilization method, a dry heat sterilization method, an ethylene oxide gas sterilization method, a radiation sterilization method, or an ultraviolet sterilization method.

The in-chamber bridge 19 is guided by a guide rail 18 A so as to be able to translate between the out-of-chamber bridge 9 and the plate 7 A in the chamber 1 . The in-chamber bridge 19 is pushed by the out-of-chamber bridge 9 to come close the plate 7 A into contact with the plate 7 A, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 , for example. The term “contact” refers to contact so that the articles 5 can slide from the surface of the out-of-chamber bridge 9 to the surface of the plate 7 A. There may be such a gap between the out-of-chamber bridge 9 and the plate 7 A that the articles 5 do not fall. The in-chamber bridge 19 is separated from the plate 7 A, for example, by being drawn by the out-of-chamber bridge 9 .

The out-of-chamber bridge 9 is guided by the guide rail 8 A so as to be able to translate in a direction toward the in-chamber bridge 19 and in a direction away from the in-chamber bridge 19 outside the chamber 1 . The out-of-chamber bridge 9 includes, for example, a motor, so as to be self-propelled.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8 , the out-of-chamber bridge 9 is provided with a coupler 29 at an end facing the in-chamber bridge 19 . The in-chamber bridge 19 is provided with a coupler 39 at an end facing the out-of-chamber bridge 9 . The coupler 29 and the coupler 39 can be connected together. The couplers 29 and 39 may include a magnet or an electric locking mechanism. For example, the out-of-chamber bridge 9 draws the in-chamber bridge 19 in a direction away from the plate 7 A via the couplers 29 and 39 . The couplers 29 and 39 may be configured to be separated from each other at a predetermined position.

A conveyer 40 is disposed on the side of the out-of-chamber bridge 9 , opposite to the end facing the in-chamber bridge 19 , with a fixing plate 30 disposed therebetween. The conveyer 40 conveys the articles 5 to be processed in the chamber 1 . The conveyer 40 also conveys the articles 5 processed in the chamber 1 . Since the out-of-chamber bridge 9 is movable as described above, an end of the fixing plate 30 and an end of the out-of-chamber bridge 9 may have a comb-like structure to be engaged with each other, as illustrated in FIG. 9( a ) . As illustrated in FIG. 9( b ) , even if the out-of-chamber bridge 9 moves in a direction away from the fixing plate 30 , if the gap between the combs is smaller than the article 5 , the article 5 does not fall through the gap.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the out-of-chamber bridge 9 includes first rod-like members 2 A and 2 B each including a magnetic body parallel to each other. The out-of-chamber bridge 9 further includes a drive unit 4 A that rotates the first rod-like member 2 A around the central axis and a drive unit 4 B that rotates the first rod-like member 2 B around the central axis. The in-chamber bridge 19 includes second rod-like members 12 A and 12 B parallel to each other, each including a magnetic body. In the chamber 1 , third rod-like members 22 A and 22 B each including a magnetic body are provided parallel to each other along the plate 7 A.

Couplers are disposed at one end of the first rod-like member 2 A, both ends of the second rod-like member 12 A, and one end of the third rod-like member 22 A. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , when the out-of-chamber bridge 9 and the in-chamber bridge 19 come into contact with each other, the first and second rod-like members 2 A and 12 A are connected to each other by the couplers. As illustrated in FIG. 8 , when the in-chamber bridge 19 and the plate 7 A come into contact with each other, the second and third rod-like members 12 A and 22 A are connected to each other by the couplers.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the first rod-like member 2 A is a magnetic screw including a hard magnetic body, in which an S-pole magnetized band and an N-pole magnetized band are alternately provided in a spiral shape around the outer peripheral surface. The first rod-like member 2 A may be inserted into a non-magnetic thin-wall pipe 20 A. The pipe 20 A is made of, for example, stainless steel. The first rod-like member 2 A and the pipe 20 A are formed into a single unit, so that when the first rod-like member 2 A rotates, the pipe 20 A also rotates around the central axis of the first rod-like member 2 A. The first rod-like member 2 B and the second and third rod-like members 12 A, 12 B, 22 A, and 22 B illustrated in FIG. 1 have the same structure as the structure of the first rod-like member 2 A.

The moving member 3 A includes a magnetic body and has a structure facing part of the peripheries of the first, second, and third rod-like members 2 A, 12 A, and 22 A. For example, the moving member 3 A includes a magnetic nut including a hard magnetic body and has a hole having an inner perimeter larger than the outer perimeter of the first rod-like member 2 A. As illustrated in FIG. 10 , the first rod-like member 2 A passes through the hole of the nut-shaped moving member 3 A. The inner circumferential surface of the hole of the moving member 3 A is provided with an S-pole magnetized band and an N-pole magnetized band alternately in a spiral shape. The pitch of the magnetized band of the moving member 3 A is substantially the same as the pitch of the magnetized band of the first rod-like member 2 A. Guide rings 31 and 32 , such as bushes, may be disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the moving member 3 A. The inner circumference of each of the guide rings 31 and 32 is smaller than the inner circumference of the moving member 3 A and is contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pipe 20 A. This allows a constant space to be kept between the magnetized band of the first rod-like member 2 A and the magnetized band of the moving member 3 A. The guide rings 31 and 32 are made of a material having a small friction coefficient such as fluororesin. The moving member 3 B illustrated in FIG. 1 has the same structure as that of the moving member 3 A.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, 11, 12, and 13 , when the drive unit 4 A rotates the first rod-like member 2 A, with the first, second, and third rod-like members 2 A, 12 A, and 22 A connected to each other, the second and third rod-like members 12 A and 22 A also rotate. When the first, second, and third rod-like members 2 A, 12 A, and 22 A rotate, a magnetic force acts between the magnetized bands of the first, second, and third rod-like members 2 A, 12 A, and 22 A and the magnetized band of the moving member 3 A to move the moving member 3 A along the central axes of the first, second, and third rod-like members 2 A, 12 A, and 22 A.

The drive unit 4 B rotates the first rod-like member 2 B in synchronization with the drive unit 4 A. The moving member 3 B moves along the central axes of the first, second, and third rod-like members 2 B, 12 B, and 22 B in synchronization with the moving member 3 A.

The first, second, and third rod-like members 2 A, 2 B, 12 A, 12 B, 22 A, and 22 B are each held by, for example, a support and a bearing, disposed so as not to interfere with the movement of the moving members 3 A and 3 B. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14 , the first rod-like member 2 A is held by a bearing 102 and a support 103 A for the bearing 102 A. The moving member 3 A including a magnetic body 62 therein may be guided by guides 42 A and 43 A.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7, and 12 , a contact member 6 that is in contact with the articles 5 and conveys the articles 5 inside and outside the chamber 1 is connected between the moving members 3 A and 3 B. The contact member 6 moves with the movement of the moving members 3 A and 3 B to move the articles 5 on the out-of-chamber bridge 9 onto the plate 7 A in the chamber 1 via the in-chamber bridge 19 . The contact member 6 also moves the articles 5 on the plate 7 A in the chamber 1 onto the out-of-chamber bridge 9 via the in-chamber bridge 19 .

For example, when substances in the articles 5 are to be freeze-dried, the moving member 3 A moves onto the out-of-chamber bridge 9 , with the articles 5 left on the plate 7 A in the chamber 1 , as illustrated in FIG. 15 . At that time, if the moving member 3 A outside the chamber 1 or the out-of-chamber bridge 9 interferes with the closing of the door 11 of the chamber 1 , the out-of-chamber bridge 9 may rotate around a central axis parallel to the surface of the out-of-chamber bridge 9 and perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving member 3 A. After the door 11 is closed, as illustrated in FIG. 16 , the substances in the articles 5 are freeze-dried in the chamber 1 .

Even if the out-of-chamber bridge 9 is rotated, the moving member 3 A is held on the out-of-chamber bridge 9 due to the magnetic force between the first rod-like member 2 A and the moving member 3 A. Alternatively, the moving member 3 A may be held on the out-of-chamber bridge 9 using another mechanism. The drive unit 4 A that rotates the first rod-like member 2 A may rotate together with the out-of-chamber bridge 9 .

When the interior of the chamber 1 and the moving member 3 A are to be sterilized, the moving member 3 A is disposed on the in-chamber bridge 19 , the out-of-chamber bridge 9 is separated from the in-chamber bridge 19 , and the door 11 of the chamber 1 is closed to tightly seal the chamber 1 , as illustrated in FIG. 17 . Thereafter, the sterilization device 100 sterilizes the interior of the chamber 1 with high-pressure steam. At that time, the components in the chamber 1 can be thoroughly sterilized by moving the cylinder covered with the bellows cover 10 downward to extend the contracted bellows cover 10 , as illustrated in FIG. 19 , and by contracting the bellows cover 10 . However, if the moving member 3 A is present at a position along the plate 7 A, the moving member 3 A may interfere with the downward movement of the plate 7 B, so that the bellows cover 10 cannot be sufficiently extended.

In contrast, in the conveyance system according to the first embodiment, the door 11 of the chamber 1 can be closed by disposing the moving member 3 A on the in-chamber bridge 19 different from the plate 7 A. This allows the bellows cover 10 to be sufficiently and fully extended and the moving member 3 A to be sterilized.

Modification of First Embodiment

FIG. 16 illustrates an example in which the drive unit 4 A rotates along with the out-of-chamber bridge 9 . In contrast, as illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 , when the out-of-chamber bridge 9 is inclined, drive units 14 A and 14 B that rotate the first rod-like members 2 A and 2 B may be separated from the first rod-like members 2 A and 2 B, and when the surface of the out-of-chamber bridge 9 is parallel to the surface of the in-chamber bridge 19 , the drive units 14 A and 14 B may be connected to the first rod-like members 2 A and 2 B by a coupler or a driving transmission mechanism.

Second Embodiment

In a conveyance system according to a second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 21 , the chamber 1 includes a first chamber 51 containing the plate 7 A and having a first door 151 between the in-chamber bridge 19 and the plate 7 A and a second chamber 52 containing the in-chamber bridge 19 and having a second door 152 between the out-of-chamber bridge 9 and the in-chamber bridge 19 and a third door 153 between the in-chamber bridge 19 and the plate 7 A.

The first door 151 of the first chamber 51 and the second and third doors 152 and 153 of the second chamber 52 can be closed, with the moving member 3 A disposed on the in-chamber bridge 19 . This allows each of the first chamber 51 and the second chamber 52 to be tightly sealed. The conveyance system according to the second embodiment further includes the sterilization device 100 that sterilizes the interior of the first chamber 51 and a sterilization device 101 that sterilizes the interior of the second chamber 52 .

The other components of the conveyance system according to the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment. The conveyance system according to the second embodiment can sterilize, for example, the interior of the first chamber 51 and the interior of the second chamber 52 on different conditions.

Other Embodiments

Having described the present invention as related to the embodiments, it should not be understood that the description and drawings constituting part of the present disclosure limit the present invention. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques can be made from the present disclosure.

For example, the configurations of the rod-like member 2 A and the moving member 3 A are not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 10 . For example, as illustrated in FIG. 22 , the first rod-like member 2 A may be a soft threaded magnetic body. The configuration of the moving member 3 A is the same as that in FIG. 10 . The pitch of the screw thread of the first rod-like member 2 A illustrated in FIG. 22 is substantially the same as the pitch of the magnetized band of the moving member 3 A. The threaded first rod-like member 2 A may be inserted into the non-magnetic thin-wall pipe 20 A. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the thread groove of the rod-like member 2 A. When the first rod-like member 2 A is rotated, a magnetic force acts between the screw thread of the first rod-like member 2 A and the magnetized band of the moving member 3 A to move the moving member 3 A.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 23 , the moving member 3 A may be a threaded soft magnetic body. The surface of the threaded hole of the moving member 3 A may be covered with a non-magnetic thin-wall pipe 30 A. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the thread groove of the moving member 3 A. The configuration of the rod-like member 2 A is the same as that in FIG. 10 . The pitch of the screw thread of the moving member 3 A illustrated in FIG. 23 is substantially the same as the pitch of the magnetized band of the first rod-like member 2 A. When the first rod-like member 2 A is rotated, a magnetic force acts between the magnetized band of the first rod-like member 2 A and the screw thread of the moving member 3 A to move the moving member 3 A.

For example, the content of the articles conveyed inside and outside the chamber is not only a pharmaceutical but also includes food, drink, precision components, and any other objects. The chamber is not limited to the freeze-drying chamber but may be a fermentation chamber or all kinds of chambers where suppression of unevenness in the temperature distribution inside and suppression of dust generation are desired. The shape of the moving member is not limited to the nut shape but may be, for example, a recessed shape. In this case, the rod-like member passes through the recessed portion of the recessed moving member. An S-pole magnetized band and an N-pole magnetized band are alternately provided on the periphery of the recessed portion of the recessed moving member.

The moving members 3 A and 3 B are not necessarily be driven using the magnetic screw. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25 , the moving member 3 A may include wheels 201 A that rotate on a railroad 202 A and a drive unit 203 A for rotating the wheels 201 A so as to be self-propelled. The shafts of the wheels 201 A may be held by bearings 207 A. The drive unit 203 A may be controlled by a control unit 204 A. The details of control of the control unit 204 A may be remotely indicated from the outside via a receiver 205 A. The moving member 3 A may include a battery 206 A for supplying power to the drive unit 203 A and so on.

Thus, it is to be understood that the present invention includes various embodiments not described here.

1 chamber

2 A, 2 B, 12 A, 12 B, 22 A, 22 B rod-like member

3 A, 3 B moving member

4 A, 4 B, 14 A, 14 B drive unit

5 article

6 contact member

7 A, 7 B, 7 C, 7 D plate

8 A, 18 A guide rail

9 out-of-chamber bridge

10 bellows cover

11 , 151 , 152 , 153 door

17 A, 17 B, 17 C hook

19 in-chamber bridge

20 A, 30 A pipe

29 , 39 coupler

30 fixing plate

31 guide ring

40 conveyer

51 first chamber

52 second chamber

100 , 101 sterilization device